“I will not marry a stranger!” Ria cried

　　“of course, you will.” Ashok Mehra, Ria’s father replied.

　　“but where is Sonia? She was supposed to marry him. He is her fiance.”

　　“Look Ria, Sonia is not here, and no one knows where she is. And we can’t leave Arjun standing there at the hall.”

　　“Then tell him the truth and save him from this waiting.”

　　“Ria don’t test my patience. I am already at my nerve’s end. Arjun Singh Randhawa is not someone we can mess with. If he felt wronged, he will destroy everything. This house, our business and our lives.” Ashok tried to explain his situation.

　　“You mean your house, your business and your lives.”

　　“Ria, I know you don’t like me much, but you can’t deny the fact that I am your father and as a daughter, it’s your duty to help me in the mess.”

　　“You mean to go in front of a cold-heated man just like a sacrificial lamb? And if you had ever considered me as your daughter you would never have told me to do this. But for you, I do not even exist! Do I?”

　　“Ria”

　　“I am saying it again, I will not marry that person.” Just as she said these final words, Mamata Mehra slapped her hard.

　　“Consider is a privilege that you are getting the chance to marry a billionaire. He was going to be Sonia’s husband if she hadn’t left so stupidly. And as for you, you are getting far much better than you deserve.”

　　Ria’s father had an extramarital affair with Mamata and after Ria’s mother died, he married Mamata. Mamata Mehra is the second wife of the Ria’s father, Ashok Mehra. She had a daughter, Sonia who was a year younger to Ria, originally it was Sonia who was supposed to marry Arjun. Mamata had come to Ria’s life when she was just 6 years old and had lost her mother. Even though Sana’s

Ria’s mother

place as irreplaceable in Ria’s heart but she still had accepted the changes and had tried to be respectful and kind to the new member of the family. But Mamata has always considered her as a burden. She always made nasty comments on her and always make her life a living hell. As for her Dad, Ria doubted if he had ever loved her mother. He had always supported Mamata even in times when he knew Mamata was wrong. This woman had taken everything from Ria’s life, her happiness, her dad, and now she was talking about privileges.

　　“We have done so much for you. We raised you, fed you and gave you everything, just so that one day may be- “

　　“You could use me as a sacrificial lamb,” Ria remarked. “And as for what you have done for me yes I agree with you. You and my dear dad have done a lot for me like sending me to the hostel when I was just 7 years old, giving me the old clothes of your daughter to wear- “

　　“You unfilial daughter!” Mamata had just raised her hand again to hit Ria when Ashok stopped her.

　　“Don’t hit her like this. It will leave marks on the face at the moment, not a bruised one.”

　　Ria always knew that for her dad money had always been the priority, but she had never seen this in person and today when she was seeing it, it took away the last remnants of respect she had for him.

　　“look Ria,” Ashok said “it’s not on just about me but also about the employees who work for us. Their bread and butter depend on our hotel. If we angered Arjun, he would not spare anyone and you will be the reason for everyone’s Doom.”

　　“And not only that” Mamata said “If we face loss in business, then there is no way the school and old house would be pardoned. Now its your choice what do you want to do.” Off course how can I not understand the meaning of this, they want to sell the only thing that is left of my mom. My grandparents are the only one who loved me after my mother’s death. And school was their dream, the one they kept for so long despite of all difficulties of past. To support those orphan kids.

　　Ria realized that now her dad was trying to hit on her weak spot by blackmailing her emotionally and trying to make her feel guilty and bad for she is the only one now who can save them. Now they want to take the last piece of my memories also.

　　“Do you think Arjun won’t react if he found me in place of Sonia?”

　　“All he wants is a Mehra daughter. It is just a marriage of convenience, a contractual marriage for business. It doesn’t matter whom he is marrying as long as it is a Mehra daughter.”

　　May be that is the reason not many peoples are invited and it just court marriage, only difference is you don’t have to go to court for this because both parties’ lawyers are already here. No media nothing. might be the reason Sonia left.

　　“Mehra daughter!”. Ria gave a sarcastic laugh. “Did you ever consider me as a daughter?”

　　“We don’t have time for this Ria. Here wear this Lehenga, get the makeup done, we are waiting for you outside. And be good and think of the consequences if you refused. Your mother has taught you to help others. I hope you still remember the values she taught you.” Ashok said and left the room with Mamata.

　　Ria never thought that her father would stoop so low as to bring the name of her dead mother in all this.

　　“Ok, Fine” She decided she will get ready as the bride- no it’s a sacrificial bride or may be as a replacement because she was sure that Arjun will say ‘No’ to her and then it will be him who will be calling off this marriage.

　　Even though Sonia and Ria are stepsisters, but they were quite different. Sonia was outgoing, attractive and liked flirting with men. She was a specimen what men called sexy while, on the other hand, Ria was introvert and shy girl who never considered herself beautiful because she never had boyfriend and always get comments from her step sister and Mamta as zero figure and clumsy girl. Ria was not zero figured because she had curves that she never really liked. So there no way Arjun liked a girl like her. And she is somewhat relax as there is no proper Indian ritual wedding or else she has to take veil but now its just kind of ring ceremony and paper signings ,so now there is no way , her dad can fool Arjun. Rejection from Arjun is now her only hope now.

　　Some girls came in to help Ria with the makeup and dress and was done within 30 minutes and when Ria looked at herself in the mirror she was surprised at her reflection. Even if the Lehenga was for her sister it had fitted her perfectly. But the obly problem was that her curves were getting a bit more attention and cleavage is much more than she would have allowed.

　　“so, the bride is ready!” one of the girls announced happily.

　　‘Yeah, the sacrificial bride. ‘laughed at her fate.